Price Lists

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Price Lists

• General Price List
• 16 CFR 453.2(b) (4)
• Supplement p. 131

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General Price List

• Keystone of the Funeral Rule.
• Itemization is the central provision.
• May be printed or typewritten.
• Must be given for retention.
• Triggering events
• 1) prices of funeral goods/services
• 2) overall type of funeral service
• 3) specific funeral goods/services

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Triggering Events (contd)

• Applies whether the discussion takes place in the
  FH or elsewhere.
• An in-person request to embalm is not a
  triggering event by itself.
• Any other discussion during the removal is a
  triggering event.

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General Price List Format

• FH Name, address, telephone number
• Heading General Price List
• Effective date.
• Print must be legible.
• 16 required items can be in any order.
• Disclosure above the basic services fee.

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16 Items of Itemization

• Must be listed on the GPL if offered by the
  funeral home.
• Must include the dollar amount.
• Funeral homes need only list the services they
  offer.
• Additional services must be itemized.
• Package funerals must be offered in addition to
  the required 16 items.

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16 Goods and Services

• 1) Basic Services of the FD Staff
• only fee that may be non-declinable
• 2) Embalming
• 3) Other Prep. of the Body
• 4) Use of Facilities Staff for Visitation
• 5) Use of Facilities Staff for Funeral Ceremony

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16 Items (contd)

• 6) Use of Facilities Staff for Memorial
  Service
• 7) Use of Equipment Staff for Graveside
  Service
• 8) Transfer of Remains to FH
• 9) Hearse
• 10) Limousine
• 11) Caskets Price Range

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16 Items (contd)

• 12) Outer Burial containers
• 13) Forward of Remains to Another Funeral Home
• 14) Receiving Remains from Another Funeral
  Home
• 15) Immediate Burials
• 16) Direct Cremation

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Mandatory Disclosures

• 6 mandatory disclosures must appear on the GPL
• Prohibited from editing or modifying the
  mandatory disclosures.
• Must be printed in a clear and conspicuous
  manner.
• Can include additional information.

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Mandatory Disclosures (contd)

• 1) Right to select only goods and services
  desired.
• 2) Embalming
• 3) Alternative Containers
• 4) Basic Services Fee
• 5) Casket Price List
• 6) Outer Burial Container Price List

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Package Funerals

• May assemble various goods and services and
  assign one price.
• May be offered as a discount.
• Must be offered in addition to itemized pricing.
• Must contain a full description of the goods and
  services offered.

12
Distribution of GPL

• Anyone who inquires in person.
• 3 points of discussion that trigger
• Must be given for retention.
• Request to embalm is not a trigger.
• Not required to mail a GPL.

13
Casket Price List

• 16 CFR 453.2 (b) (2)
• May be printed or typewritten.
• Must be presented to people who inquire in
  person.
• Offer when discussing and before showing caskets.

14
CPL (contd)

• Retail prices of all caskets and alternative
  containers regularly offered.
• FH name and caption Casket Price
• List identifying information
• Effective date.
• Not required for retention.

15
Outer Burial Container Price List

• 453.2 (b) (3)
• Printed or typewritten.
• Must offer upon discussion of or before showing
  the containers.
• FH name, Outer Burial Container Price List,
  effective date, identifying information
• Must contain all product regularly offered.
• Not required for retention.

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Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected

• 453.2 (b) (5)
• No specific format required.
• In NJ must conform to 1336-1.9
• Itemized statement of all funeral goods, services
  and cash advances.
• Mandatory disclosures
• 1) legal and other requirements
• 2) embalming
• 3) cash advance items

17
Embalming Requirements/Provisions

• 3 conditions
• 1) state law requires it
• 2) family gives permission
• 3) exigent circumstances
• (3 conditions)

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Retention of Documents

• 1 year after the date of the last distribution
• SFGSS 1 year from date of the arrangements
  conference
• NJ 1336-1.8 (7 years)
• State Exemptions

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Federal Rule Offenders Program (1996)

• 1997 44 funeral homes offered participation as
  an alternative to litigation
• Administered by the FTC (NFDA assisted in its
  development)
• FTC Sweeps
• By 2010 more than 2300 funeral homes have been
  inspected
• 362 substantially non-compliant

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NFDAs Tips to Avoid Getting Stung

• stack of GPLs at FH entrance
• Stack of GPLs in reception area
• Stack of GPLs in arrangement office
• Copies of CPLs outside the SR
• Staff training (non-licensed licensed)